Virat Kohli to be rested for Asia Cup 2018? Selectors wary of India captain's workload

India national selection committee will keep in mind Virat Kohli's workload while selecting a team for Asia Cup 2018, starting September 15 in the United Arab Emirates.

The MSK Prasad-led All-India Senior Selection Committee will meet in Mumbai on Saturday to pick the Indian side for the continental tournament.

While his presence will be vital to the team, especially when India are set to face Pakistan at least twice in the 14-day tournament, Kohli's recent back injury will be considered, according to the Press Trust of India.

Kohli had to pull out from a proposed county stint with Surrey in the lead up to the ongoing tour of the United Kingdom.

A historic deal with the English club was penned but it was withdrawn due to a back injury Kohli had picked up during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018.

Doubts remain over his participation for the two-match T20I series against Ireland in June but the star cricketer recovered in time to lead the Indian side to a 2-0 win in Dublin.

India will finish their 77-day-long tour of the UK after the end of the fifth and final Test on September 11. The Asian giants will be involved in two full tours after the Asia Cup — against West Indies at home (between October 4 and November 11) and against Australia Down Under (between November 21 and January 18, 2019).

If the selection committee decides to go with the first-choice players for the Asia Cup, it is safe to assume several key players will be rested for the West Indies series, considering the all-important Australia tour later in the year.

Rishabh Pant backup wicketkeeper for the Men in Blue?

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant may get another limited-overs call-up for the Asia Cup as the young wicketkeeper has been impressive so far in the ongoing Test series in the Old Blighty. It remains to be seen if selectors retain their faith in Dinesh Karthik, who was struggling for form in Edgbaston and Lord's Tests.

Middle order options aplenty for Team India

The availability of Manish Pandey, who has been in sublime form (306* in four matches) in ongoing India A Team Quadrangular series, should come as a big boost for the Indian team, which has been struggling with middle-order woes in limited-overs cricket.

Ambati Rayudu, who missed the England ODIs last month after failing the yo-yo test, has put himself back in contention after clearing the much-talked-about fitness test.

Meanwhile, Kedar Jadhav, who suffered a finger injury in the IPL, has recovered and will be available for selection.